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Detroit JazzFest 2011: Gary, Joe & Warren

This year Gary Burton - Joe Locke - Warren Wolf are all playing at the festival, woo-hoo!! I'm hoping to meet them. I met Joe the last time he was here with his Milt Tribute band. Joe took time after his set to chat with me for a few minutes and I got a pic with him. It was a real thrill for me. Of course Joe's just a regular guy who happens to play the vibes, I've found that out about all the pro's here. This is what's so great about this site. Everyone from the novice to the pro coming here sharing, learning and encouraging.

Memorizing Tunes

Hey Vibes workshop,

Its been a month since the delaware workshop, ive learned alot, and when i practiced my 4 hours in my practice room i would work hard to memorize these tunes. Its a month later and now,the chord changes of Stella by starlight, lullaby of birdland and part C of Green Dolphin street seem blurry and i cant seem to memorizie them after a week. Any tips on Memorizing Chords to a Song

Vibe Diary - August 23, 2011

I did a recording session yesterday and something awful happened. We were playing the tune Move by Denzel Best. I couldn't play one part of the tune. I had to practice it for 20 minutes. I realized that I got into a bad habit or something over the summer and my right hand changed. I actually had to work the problem out in the studio (all friends, luckily) and come home and think about the problem. I can't really explain what it was but my right hand was moving a little differently from my left. I could feel it changing back as I practiced during the day and night. It was weird.

Vibe Diary - August 22, 2011 - No Gig

No gig today (I'm glad in a way). After doing a bunch of BS I got on the instrument. I'm learning the Parker Tune Quasimodo. I love the head and it's a challenge to really get the phrasing! I have 3 recordings, Paul Motian, Parker and Ralph Moore and each one is a little different.

BTW - Quasimodo is based on the chords to Embraceable You.

I'm so into Parker tunes and learning them as a tune and as an etude. In other words it's a real opportunity to study phrasing.

Marie Vibraphone is 1 Year Old Today

One year ago today Marie got her vibraphone. As you guys might know, Marie has been in love with the vibes for a long time. She finally bought her own set and is practicing on them! She's my right hand girl on the site as most of you know. I don't think the site would be as good without her giving us all encouragement.

Anyway I wanted to wish Marie's vibes a happy birthday in their new home!